Australian cellist James Morley has received the prestigious title of 2024 YCAT Artist.

James Morley. Photo © Gabrielle Clement

As one of seven finalists (and over 160 applicants), Morley performed at Wigmore Hall on 16 May in competition for the title. His program included works by Saariaho, Britten and Liza Lim’s Cello Playing ~ as Meteorology, a work he premiered in 2021.

UK-based Fibonacci Quartet and pianist Amiri Harewood also joined the YCAT Artist roster.

Alongside the title, Morley will also be awarded opportunities to perform at internationally-renowned venues such as the Concertgebouw and Berlin Konzerthaus, strategic career planning and mentoring, digital support and advice and publicity material.

It’s a notable feather in the cap for the rising star cellist. Born in Adelaide and trained at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, he is now based in Basel, Switzerland, where he is completing his Masters of Contemporary Music at the Musik-Akademie Basel. A prolific performer, too, Morley has performed recitals at the Sydney Opera House, Phoenix Central Park and toured nationally with Musica Viva Australia in 2023, among numerous national and international performance credits.

“Morley is...